Kareena Kapoor Khan: Varun and Alia are the dark horses

She believes she was the dark horse of her generation. Over 15 years in the business, Kareena Kapoor Khan tells us that time and experiences in the industry have helped her mature. "Today, I'm known as an actor as well as a star. To maintain your star status, you have to do commercial films and I've done that all my life. But even offbeat films too will always be a part of my career," Kareena smiles.

While she has ruled the roost for over a decade now, Kareena's happy to make way for the younger generation and is all smiles about working with them. "Today, the younger generation of actors are more aware than what I used to be during my initial years in Bollywood. They are a lot more conscious now. Overall, everything is very different from what it was 10 years ago. They are all brilliant actors."

In a previous interview, Bebo clearly stated that she doesn't see herself romancing the younger heroes. Yet, she's paired opposite Arjun Kapoor in R Balki's next. What brought about the change? "I remember saying that. But for Balki's film, the script demanded that. He told me clearly that he was writing the film keeping me in mind. He believed it would be a great part for me. While sitting in my house for the narration, he had only reached till the interval when I told him I was doing the film. I don't even want to know the second half but I will, just to know what happens in the film'. The fact was I had okayed it mid-way. An actor's instinct is the most important and I am instinctive. Sometimes, if I don't want to do something, I won't. But with Balki's film, I felt the part demanded it," she clears the air.

Does she picture herself romancing Varun now? "With Varun, I don't know. Again it should be a nice film to bring us together. Although I would love to dance around trees with him, I don't see myself doing that at all," Bebo laughs. What about Alia? "Alia's adorable. Although I did not get to work with her in Udta Punjab, I love being with her. She has a very positive energy. I'm sure she will reach

the top."

Varun and Alia have eventually become the faces for Shuddhi, which was initially supposed to happen with her and Hrithik. But Kareena feels that the two younger actors will pull it off really well'. "I love Varun and Alia. They are both really talented and they will manage it well. They are the dark horses of Bollywood now."